Dry kiln



Nov. 5, 1929. F. M. CREIGHTONET AL DRY KILN Filed April 13, 1926 2Sheets-Sheet l 3 J m n w.

1929 F. M. CREIGHTON ET AL 1,734,850

7 DRY KILN Filed April 13, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5, 1929UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK M. GREIGHTON, OF AMERICUS, GEORGIA,AND WILLIAM E. GRAY, OF MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS 'lO MOORE DRY KILN COMPANY, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLOR-IDA, A CORPORATION OF FLORIDA DRY KILN Application filed April 13,

Our invention relates to an improvement in dry kilns, and moreparticularly of the socalled charge kiln type.

The fundamental feature of this invention is the attainment of theuniformity of heat and humidity throughout the entire kiln. This isattained by the perfect control of the elements or factors, such asheat, humidity, and circulatory movement of the air of the kiln, thatcontribute to bring about this uniformity.

Our results are obtained by conditioning the air in the kiln by properlyheating, humidifying and circulating and recirculating the air in thekiln uniformly throughout the entire interior of the kiln withoutadmitting fresh air from the outside. As a result, the air in the kilnis brought to the required condition for the attainment of these resultsin a relatively short space of time after the operation of the kiln isstarted, thus appreciably reducing the time required for the curing ofthe contents of the kiln. All of this is accomplished by the use ofcomparatively simple.

mechanism.

The means for accomplishing our objects include a closed kiln in whichthe material under treatment is placed, means for heating and means forhumidifying the air confined within the kiln, and means for circulatingand re-circulating the conditioned air by simultaneously withdrawing itfrom the ends of the kiln, and re-heating it, and returning it back intothe lower portion of the kiln in the region of the center, whence itrises and re-circulates in countercurrents at the top, being againwithdrawn at the opposite ends and re-circulated as before in continuouscycles, with the attendant result that an approximately uniformtemperature and uniform humidity is maintained throughout the entireinterior of the kiln, and until the contents shall have been cured andis ready to be removed from the kiln.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrow.

1926. Serial No. 101,762.

The kiln illustrated is a charge kiln. By charge kiln is meant one inwhich the material is placed in the kiln and subjected to the curingprocess for the required length of time, and then is bodily removed.

The number 1 represents the kiln. This may have doors 2, at one or bothends, and it has ventilators 3 of any approved type in the roof.

The numeral 4 represents heating-coils. These may be arranged in anyapproved manner, and are located at the bottom of the kiln usuallybeneath the rails 5. Spray pipes 6 may be arranged wherever desired tomeet the requirements. In the illustrated form of the kiln there areshown four such pipes extending longitudinally of the kiln, two at thetop spraying downwardly, and two at some point near the bottom sprayingupwardly. These sprays are regulated by hand or control regulators (notshown). These pipes are at opposite sides of the kiln.

At opposite ends of the kiln are intake hoppers 7. These are preferablycovered over by screens 8, and the conditioned air of the kiln is drawnin opposite directions downwardly into these air inlets or hoppers asindicated by the arrows. From these air intakes or hoppers, an airconduit or conduits 9 extend inwardly in opposite directions, or towardthe center preferably so that their discharge ends 10 extend far enoughbeyond each other to insure a discharge of their contents in oppositedirections into the kiln, and sufficiently separated to prevent the twodischarges from materially influencing each other. The air in theseconduits is moved forward toward the center and accelerated by anysuitable mechanism, as for instance jets 11 of steam or compressed air,or fans if desired, two of these being shown in each of the two conduitsillustrated. These jets are supplied by a pipe 12 controlled by someform of simultaneous control which may be in the form of a hand-valve orregulator control 13.

By this arrangement of mechanical means, such as air conduit or conduits9, which withdraw the air of the kiln simultaneously from oppositepoints and return it to and disly opposite directions to points beyondthe ends of each other, and discharging a drying medium in approximatelyopposite directions.

9. A charge kiln having a longitudinal drying chamber, and conduitscommunicating with said chamber and Withdrawing the drying media fromthe region of the opposite ends, each of said conduits extending beyondthe center and discharging said drying media.

10. A charge kiln having a longitudinal drying chamber, and conduitscommunicating With said chamber and Withdrawing the drying media fromthe region of the opposite ends, each of said conduits conveying saiddrying media beyond the center and dis charging in the direction of theopposite end from Which said conduit extended.

11. A charge kiln comprising an elongated drying chamber having doors atthe opposite ends thereof, hoppers extending transversely of the dryingchamber in the regions or" the doors, and conduits communicating withsaid hoppers and extending to and discharging in intermediate portionsof the chamber.

In testimony whereof We aifix our signatures.

FRANK M. CREIGHTON. WILLIAM E. GRAY.

